Class A vs Class B asbestos removal licences — and why it matters
The class of licence controls what a contractor is legally allowed to touch. A Class B holder cannot lawfully remove friable material, no matter how small the job.
Every asbestos removalist in Australia is licensed by their state or territory work-health-and-safety regulator. There are two classes of removal licence: Class A (unrestricted, including friable) and Class B (non-friable only, above 10 m²). Make sure the licence class matches the material you actually have.
Class A — friable and non-friable
Class A holders can remove friable asbestos, any quantity of non-friable asbestos, and asbestos-contaminated dust. They must nominate a supervisor with high-risk work certification, notify the regulator, engage an independent licensed asbestos assessor and obtain a written clearance certificate. Use a Class A holder for any pipe lagging, sprayed insulation, loose-fill insulation, fire-damaged asbestos or contaminated soil.
Class B — non-friable only
Class B holders may remove more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos, including cement sheeting, corrugated roofing and vinyl tile backing, provided the material remains bonded. They must not remove friable material even in small quantities. Some Class B licences carry conditions (for example, ‘non-friable roofing only’) — check the licence detail.
Not sure what applies to your job?
Run the three-minute triage and get a plain-English recommendation.
Start triage